 The first reactor of the No.1 Fukushima nuclear power plant (Photo: AFP/VNA)
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Water used to cool molten nuclear fuel at the Fukushima Daiichi plant mixes with rain and groundwater. The accumulated water is treated to remove most radioactive substances, but still contains tritium, according to NHK.
The government plans to dilute the water to reduce the tritium level to about one-seventh of the World Health Organization's safety guidelines for drinking water, said NHK.
On Tuesday the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Japan's plan is in line with international safety standards and the discharge of treated wastewater will leave an inconsiderable radioactive effect for humans and the environment.
South Korea said on Friday Japan's plan to discharge treated radioactive water from its tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant met global safety standards and it respected the UN nuclear watchdog's approval for the release, according to Reuters.